Bernier may not be most lingering challenge for Conservatives after Halifax

Instead, a small-minded resolution that would end birthright citizenship seems unnecessarily malicious in a country with declining birthrates and an economic need for immigrants.

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, pictured greeting a supporter at his party's national convention on Aug. 24 in Halifax, handled Maxime Bernier’s departure well, argues Tim Powers, by letting him leave on his own. The Hill Times photograph by Samantha Wright Allen

OTTAWA—Despite Maxime Bernier’s efforts at setting a different agenda, the Conservatives managed to pull off what appeared to be a reasonably successful convention in Halifax on the weekend. While at this point it is unknown what Bernier’s walk away will do to party fortunes in 2019, it is fair to say at least on the convention floor he served as a unifier for delegates, not a divider.

Unless Trudeau plans to be out on these streets, fighting against police brutality or in cabinet drafting legislation to curb police powers, his, and all the other white voices of his ilk, have no merit here.

'I do agree that things need to be implemented as quickly as possible. We could've done this a lot sooner. The good news is that we’re doing it now and announcing it today,' says Transport Minister Marc Garneau.